# Banded harvestman (Leiobunum vittatum) > A long-legged, harmless harvestman common across eastern North America, recognised by the dark stripe on its back and its very long, dark-ringed legs. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/banded-harvestman/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Banded harvestmen do not have venom glands and cannot sting. They do not spin webs. They may release a mild defensive odor if handled; handling can cause legs to detach (autotomy) which is harmless but may distress the animal. If you are accidentally pinched, wash the skin with soap and water — serious reactions are extremely rare. **Pets:** Generally harmless to pets. Small animals might briefly investigate or eat them; harvestmen are not known to be toxic to cats or dogs. Supervision is recommended if a pet repeatedly eats insects. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Leiobunum vittatum - Also called: Eastern harvestman, Striped harvestman, Daddy longlegs - Order: Opiliones (Harvestmen) - Family: Sclerosomatidae (Harvestmen) - Size: Body about 5-8.5 mm; leg span commonly 30-70 mm (legs highly variable) - Colours: Brown, Cream, Black, Reddish-brown - Habitat: Woodland edges, shrubs, gardens, fences, house walls, under bark and leaf litter - Range: Widespread in eastern and central North America; reported across parts of the United States and Canada - Active: Spring to autumn, most active at night or in cool, damp conditions - Lifespan: Usually one season: eggs overwinter, young hatch in spring and adults die in autumn - Effect on plants: Harmless - Pest: no ## Overview Leiobunum vittatum is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones) often found in gardens, woodlands and around houses in much of eastern and central North America. Unlike spiders, harvestmen have a single, rounded body segment without a narrow "waist," and their legs are very long and slender. They are omnivorous scavengers and opportunistic predators that are most active in warm months and at night. They are harmless to people and do not produce venom or silk. Adults are social at times and can be seen clustered on walls, tree trunks and foliage. They molt through a series of nymphal stages before reaching adulthood. Because they feed on small invertebrates, plant fluids, and decaying organic matter, they play a minor but useful role in garden ecosystems by recycling material and occasionally controlling pest insects. ## How to identify it Adults have a small, oval body (cephalothorax and abdomen fused into one compact unit) that is golden yellow to reddish-brown with a large dark stripe or saddle running down the middle of the back; both sexes darken as the season goes on and can look almost black by autumn. Legs are very long and thin, with dark knee segments and dark rings near the ends of the tibiae; the second pair is used like antennae. Males have darker, longer legs and a slimmer body than females. Eyes sit on a small raised tubercle near the front of the body. There is no silk or webbing apparatus. - Single, compact oval body (no narrow waist), golden to reddish-brown with a broad dark stripe down the back - Very long, thin legs with dark knee segments and dark rings; the second pair is often waved like antennae - Small eye tubercle near the front of the body instead of multiple eyes on separate segments - Clusters or groups on walls and tree trunks at night; unlike spiders, no web or silk present ## Lookalikes - **Other Leiobunum species** (Leiobunum spp.): Many Leiobunum look similar; use local range and banding pattern to separate species — specialist keys or microscopic examination of genitalia are needed for confident ID. - **Daddy longlegs spider** (Pholcus phalangioides): Not a harvestman (it's a true spider). Pholcus has a segmented body with a narrow waist and builds webs; Leiobunum does not build webs and has a single rounded body. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Laid in soil, leaf litter or hidden crevices; eggs overwinter in some climates. - **Nymph:** Young resemble small adults but without fully developed genitalia and with shorter legs; they molt multiple times as they grow. - **Adult:** Sexually mature, capable of mating and laying eggs. Adults are typically present from spring through autumn. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Small insects, mites, plant fluids, fungal material and detritus - Adults eat: Omnivorous scavenger diet: small live prey, dead invertebrates, nectar or plant fluids and decaying organic matter - Predators of the young: Birds, small mammals, larger predatory insects and spiders - Predators of adults: Birds, toads, small mammals and predatory arthropods; legs may be autotomised to escape ## Effect on plants and gardens Does not eat live plants in damaging numbers. Feeds on small invertebrates, plant fluids and decaying organic matter, so has little direct negative effect on gardens. ## Where and when to find it Look on tree trunks, fences, exterior walls, under eaves, in shrubs, and in leaf litter. At night search illuminated walls and porch lights where they may congregate. - Best time: Spring through autumn, especially warm evenings and nights. - Tips: Use a flashlight at night and a shallow container to gently capture and release. Photograph from above to show the dark back stripe and the single rounded body for identification. ## Fun facts - Harvestmen are not spiders: they belong to a different order (Opiliones) and lack venom glands and silk glands. - They can autotomise (drop) legs to escape predators; a dropped leg may twitch for a short time, distracting attackers. - Some Leiobunum species are sociable and form daytime clusters on tree trunks or walls. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are banded harvestmen poisonous? No. They do not have venom glands and are harmless to people. ### Do banded harvestmen bite? They rarely bite and have no venom. Any bite would be mild and superficial. ### Why are they in my house? They wander indoors seeking shelter, moisture or prey. They are often attracted to lights at night and may enter through gaps. ### How do I get rid of them? Hand-catch and release outside or use a vacuum for removal. Seal cracks and reduce outdoor lighting to make your home less attractive. Widespread insecticidal control is unnecessary and not recommended. ### Do they damage my plants or home? No. They do not damage structures and rarely harm healthy plants; they mostly scavenge or eat small invertebrates. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/121465), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiobunum_vittatum). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.